Panarin is the Blue Jackets' leading point-getter with 18 points in as many games. Missing potentially one game of 82 is completely reasonable for any player, but there never is a good time for it to happen.

The Blue Jackets are the current leaders of the Metropolitan Division with 22 points (10-6-2), being closely tailed by the New York Islanders and New York Rangers, who both have 20.

Illness has affected the Blue Jackets' lineup once already this season, with Cam Atkinson missing last Friday's game in Washington, D.C. He did return to play the following night against the New York Rangers.